Giraldo and Nishikori to battle it out in Barcelona

Santiago Giraldo ended hopes of Nicolas Almagro building on his triumph over world number one Rafael Nadal with a 7-5 6-3 victory to book a place in the final of the Barcelona Open.

The Colombian - who knocked out number three seed Fabio Fognini in round two - continued his fine recent form with a comfortable win, which included six aces and losing just one service game, to wrap up victory in one hour and 25 minutes as he moved into a second ATP Tour final.

On Sunday, the 26-year-old will meet Kei Nishikori, the first Japanese player to reach the final of the Barcelona Open.

"I was very happy to see lots of Japanese people congratulating me after the match," said Nishikori, who in February claimed a fourth ATP title at the US National Indoor Tennis Championships at Memphis.

"I love coming to Spain to play, I am playing great, and there have not been any easy matches."